Interview Questions You Should Know How To Answer

by Natalie Sutherland

This is one of the most…If you’re nearing the end of your course, you’re probably thinking hard about your next step: finding a job. Fielding tough job interview questions can be part of the employment game, and it can be beneficial to gain a heads up on what you may be asked–and how you should answer.

‘Why should we hire you?’

This question can seem daunting, especially when you’ve got no real work experience. But what the interviewer is really asking is, What can you bring to the company that other applicants can’t? What makes you stand out from the rest?

Despite your lack of on-the-job experience, it can be a good idea to:

Discuss the skills and knowledge you’ve acquired throughout your studies (and any past work experience) and talk about how they can be transferred to the job you are applying for.

Emphasise your passion for the field and your willingness to learn and grow within the company.

‘So, tell me about yourself?’

This might sound like a casual question or simply an icebreaker, yet interviewers often ask this to see how well you can communicate and sell yourself. It also gives them a little insight into your personality.

You can answer the question ‘tell me about yourself’ in an interview by:

Keeping your response positive and professional; avoid saying things like “I’m a party animal” or “people describe me as a prankster.”

Instead, describe and highlight your key professional skills and experience, and be sure that your responses are relevant to the job and company

For example, if one of the key requirements of the job is an ‘ability to problem solve’, you may want to discuss your creativity when it comes to resolving issues

‘What’s your biggest weakness?’

This is one of the most…This can be a common interview question regardless of whether you’re a graduate or a seasoned professional. It can be hard to answer, the entire purpose of an interview is to convince the recruiter you’re perfect for the job after all, so how can you discuss your weaknesses properly?

The best piece of advice? Find a weakness that’s manageable and that won’t directly impact you ability to do the job.

For instance, if you’re applying for a management position, don’t say your weakness is time management. Instead answer it by avoiding to mention weaknesses that are really strengths. recruiters hear this all the time, applicants using cliches such as ‘I take on too much’ or ‘I’m too honest’.

One of the reasons recruiters choose this question is to see if you’re able to identify aspects of your own working ethic that need improvement. It’s a great indicator of honesty, reason and humbleness as well. It’s also best to refrain from mentioning anything that may paint you in a bad light. For instance, don’t say something like ‘I have problems with punctuality’, because no matter what job you’re applying for; this is often a big aspect of it.

One last tip, focus on talking about an area that you’re already taking measures to address. If you have a problem with public speaking, like many people do, mention that you’re taking opportunities to participate in volunteer or leadership roles that public speaking is a big part of. This shows the recruiter you’re taking steps to overcome it.

‘What are you looking for in your next role or company?”

This question isn’t just about what you want. Again, the interviewer wants to gauge whether you’re a good match for the role and whether you’re suited to the culture of the organisation.

Begin by discussing how the job and business will give you an opportunity to grow your capabilities – be specific here and list the capabilities you want to develop. For example, if you were applying for a high-end hairdressing job, you might say, “I’m looking for a role that allows me to create long-lasting relationships with customers and help them stay abreast of what hair styles are fashionable and on trend.”

Connect your own goals here to the specifics of the job you’re interviewing for. For instance, if one of the perks of the high-end hairdressing role is internal progression, you may want to talk about your career desire to one day become a salon manager.

‘Where do you see yourself in five years time?’

You don’t need to have your entire career mapped out to answer this question. But the interviewer does want to get an idea of your career direction and how this role or company will fit in with your goals.

Accentuate that you are interested in a long-term career in this field and that the current opportunity is ideal in giving you a great start.

Do you see yourself taking on more responsibilities? Combining certain skills and strengths? Moving into management?

If in doubt, keep your answers general rather than specific; while it’s important to be truthful, you won’t want to give the interviewer a reason to think twice about hiring you.

‘Do you have any questions you’d like to ask?’

Your answer to this question should always be ‘yes.’ Saying ‘no’ can give the interviewer the impression that you’re not really interested in role. Keep in mind that you’re there to learn as much about the company and the job as possible.
It’s really important to think of some questions before the interview, rather than be caught on the spot. 99% of the time, this question will be asked. If you can’t think of anything, ask about the type of tasks expected in the position, the business’s objectives or the company culture. Keep in mind that this is a really good way for recruiters to determine your ambition, eagerness for the job and interest in the business itself.

Finally, use the opportunity to emphasise why the company should hire you and how you can fit well with it’s existing culture and position requirements.

Knowing how to answer questions well in an interview is only half of it. It’s also very important to have an idea of what not to say in an interview to further impress your interviewer. Ultimately though, a successful interview comes down to practice and ensuring you’re prepared for the role and the questions you’ll be expected to answer.

At the end of the interview, don’t forget to thank the interviewer and ask what the next steps will be. Remember, the job interview is all about selling your capabilities as much as possible, and convincing the employer about why they should hire you over another candidate.

Remember, always keep your responses professional, positive, concrete and most of all, relevant to the job description. Good luck!

Natalie Sutherland

Natalie Sutherland is a fulltime copywriter and creative writer. In her spare time, she writes fiction and short stories and suffers from Bibliophilia. She's also working on her first novel.

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